Entry-level projector advice

[wheelybird]

Hello everyone.

I'm thinking of buying a projector for watching the occasional film on - either DVDs or from a HTPC I built. Like most people, I was hoping to spend as little money on it as possible - possibly £400 or less.
I've been looking on the internet at projectors for the last couple of days and I've not come across anything that looks suitable, and was wondering if anyone could advise?

I have the screen and audio amp already. The screen is, I think, 50", and will be about 7' away from the projector (it will be straight-on).

The problem I have is that most of the projectors for around that price seem to be DLP projectors designed for presentations. I can't watch a DLP projection for more than a couple of minutes without a raging headache, so they're out. I'm also concerned that the lamps on the cheaper projectors won't last that long, and the idea of paying another £300 within a year isn't attractive.

So I'm looking for a quiet LCD projector. The room has heavy curtains, and most of the times I'll watch stuff will be winter evenings, so the room can be quite dark - so it doesn't need to be an especially bright projector.

I'd even consider one of these new portable LED-based projectors, like the Dell M109S, but they tend to be DLP-based and are reportedly quite loud (and with poor resolutions too).

So could anyone can suggest the best compromise model of projector to get (or even knows where to buy out-of-production, higher spec ones that are reduced in price)?
In summary - it needs to be:

LCD
Quiet
As good a resolution as possible for the price range (ideally WXGA).

Thanks in advance,

Brian.

[jacko5]

Originally Posted by wheelybird

Hello everyone.

I'm thinking of buying a projector for watching the occasional film on - either DVDs or from a HTPC I built. Like most people, I was hoping to spend as little money on it as possible - possibly £400 or less.
I've been looking on the internet at projectors for the last couple of days and I've not come across anything that looks suitable, and was wondering if anyone could advise?

I have the screen and audio amp already. The screen is, I think, 50", and will be about 7' away from the projector (it will be straight-on).

The problem I have is that most of the projectors for around that price seem to be DLP projectors designed for presentations. I can't watch a DLP projection for more than a couple of minutes without a raging headache, so they're out. I'm also concerned that the lamps on the cheaper projectors won't last that long, and the idea of paying another £300 within a year isn't attractive.

So I'm looking for a quiet LCD projector. The room has heavy curtains, and most of the times I'll watch stuff will be winter evenings, so the room can be quite dark - so it doesn't need to be an especially bright projector.

I'd even consider one of these new portable LED-based projectors, like the Dell M109S, but they tend to be DLP-based and are reportedly quite loud (and with poor resolutions too).

So could anyone can suggest the best compromise model of projector to get (or even knows where to buy out-of-production, higher spec ones that are reduced in price)?
In summary - it needs to be:

LCD
Quiet
As good a resolution as possible for the price range (ideally WXGA).

Thanks in advance,

Brian.

I would suggest you look in the for sale section of these forums, or e-bay and look out for a secondhand Sony VPL-AW10 or 15.

[wheelybird]

I came across this device today: AAXA P2 Pico Projector - LCoS Based Hand-held Pocket Projector - LED Micro Projector

It seems like it would be bright enough for a dark room, projects to about the size I'm after and it's got the benefit of using LED lights, so no expensive lamp replacement. Has anyone used one of these? Would it be suitable for home cinema, do you think?

[wheelybird]

Originally Posted by jacko5

I would suggest you look in the for sale section of these forums, or e-bay and look out for a secondhand Sony VPL-AW10 or 15.

Cheers. That model certainly does fit the bill, but sadly I couldn't find any second-hand ones knocking about. There was a new one on ebay for around £450, but that's sadly over budget.